Bedspring and the like



Nov. 17, 1942. J. T. ATKINSON BED SPRING rAND THE LIKE Filgd oci. 11,195e 4 sheets-snee; 1

Novu 17, 1942. l 1 T ATK|N50N 2,302,514

BED SPRING AND THE LIKE' @es mm Lau- Akal ile-, mn--- Nov. 17, 1942. .1.T. ATKINSON -Fi 1edvoot-. '11, 1958 BED SPRING AND THE LIKE 4sheets-snaai 3 Nov.. 17, 1942. .1 T ATKINSQN 2,302,514

BED SPRING AND THE LIKE Filed oct. 11, 1958 4 sheets-sheet 4 PatentedNov. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT. YGFFICE 2,302,514 BEDsrRINGnND THELIKE Jerome r. Atkiison, Northfield, n1.

Application October 11, 1938, Serial No. 234,461

1 claim.

This invention has to do with springs generally? used on beds and thelike. More particularly this invention relates to the provision of meansfor adjusting and regulating the various portions of the springs.

In commercialI bed springs as generally con- 'l structed and used todaythere is no provision made for variation in weight of the person orpersons using the spring, nor is any provision made for variations inthe types of mattresses that may be employed upon any particular spring;

nor is there any provision made for any modication that would compensatefor the normal Wear in a mattress used on the spring.

Numerous tests conducted clearly indicate that f.

two persons of identical weight may need and desire entirely differentsupport when sleeping. A tall muscular person of a given weight needsquite a different combination of spring and mattress from that mostcomfortable for a short plump individual of the same weight.

It has also been found that a person with a slight spinal curvature orpersonal idiosyncrasies and. persons with physical pecularities shouldhave a sleeping surface that is relatively dat anddoes not sag below thehorizontal when the weight is placed upon the mattress. A common faultwith mattresses and springs used in combination today is that they areYsubstantially flat when not in use, but when the weight of the user isplaced;`

upon the mattress, the mattress and spring combination yields to such anextent-particularly under the heavy portions of the body; that is, thetorsothat the bed is far from being as comfortable as it should be.This, to a great extent,-

accounts for many people sleeping on their sides in efforts to get theirspines in relatively straight lines or comfortable positions.

Pillows are generally used for a softer cushioning near the face whichis most sensitive, to raise the head somewhat when people lie on theirsides and to keep drafts off their shouders in cold weather. From habitmost people use pillows for sleeping but the pillow in turn contributesto .f

and accentuates the distortion of the sleeping surculiarities, and sincesprings, mattresses and pillows also vary with age and use and since thecombination of different mattresses with different springs and pillowsvary to a great extent it has been impossible heretofore to provide asleeping surface that is always satisfactory or that may be adjusted atwill to give normal orthograde posture to any individual wishing to usea particular spring, mattress and pillowcombination.

Up to the present time several types of adjustable springs havebeen-placed on the market. The fact-none of these is generallyavailable, and that their manufacture has been discontinued is evidencethat the functions they perform do not adequately meet thequalifications satisfactory to adjustable bed springs. So far asapplicant has been able to determine these springs have fallen intodisuse primarily because the adjusting means was generally intended toprovide compensation for the distortion developed through wear, abnormaluse or abuse. The adjustment of the complete spring in fact accomplishedso little that these constructions have long since been abandoned andfallen into commercial disuse,

f It is a purpose of the present invention to supply a heretoforeunfilled need; namely, a bed spring wherein an adjustment mayindependently be made on each side to provide for each of the twooccupants independently, the type of sleeping surface which each desiresalthough these may be markedly different, and further to permit thechanging of either or both sides when and if desired. The principle, ofcourse, is also applicable to a single size as well as to a double sizespring.

Experiments conducted show that to provide normal orthograde posture, itis necessary to crown the surface of the spring longitudinally; that is,to have the portions under the torso higher .than the end portions whenthe spring is not in use. Raising of certain sections'to crown thespring provides more support in those po-rtions where the surface iscrowned. As a result when an individual then lies upon a mattress whichis placed on the spring, the surface of the mattress under the weight oftheroccupant -yields comfortably but does not sag, as is the case withany spring which is flat when not in use.

Today all springs are manufactured with the objective a flat surfacewhen not in use. This we contend is wrong as the spring will then sagwhen the bed is occupied. This distorts the position of the sleepersspine and does not permit perfect relaxation. Recognition by theindustry of the faults existing in 'springs and most mattresses isevidenced by the many mattresses that are being manufactured today withbuilt-up centers to compensate for the faults of design and constructionof the springs. However, this does not go to the basic cause of thedifficulty which is the foundation support for the mattress; namely, thespring. Further the additional support provided in these new mattressesis through the mathematical center cross section of the mattress. This,experiments established, is unsatisfactory as the added support isneeded where there is additional weight; namely, toward the head of thebed and under the torso. This is provided in the constructions disclosedand is an important feature in connection with our invention.

Due to personal idiosyncrasies and sleeping habits of individuals andcouples provision is further made by applicant for adjusting the springto provide more or less support under the shoulders as may be desiredand under the hips as may be desired and in addition to provide foradjusting the center portion of a double bed spring along thelongitudinal axis to counteract the tendency of two persons rollingtogether. This is sometimes desirable in that some people are easilydisturbed by being touched or bumped by another perso-n in the bed.

Further means of adjustment is provided in applicants spring, which isthe crowning of each half of the double bed spring transversally as wellas longitudinally and independently of the other half. The purpose ofthis is essentially to compensate for the wear on the mattress whichdevelops most markedly directly under the portion where there isgreatest weight and in a bed occupied by two persons sleeping side byside is often appreciably noticeable as a longitudinal depression oneach side of the mattress. Normally, the mattress must be discarded ifthese depressions become too bad.

It is the purpose of applicant to provide a bed spring which may beadjusted transversely and longitudinally so as to compensate for thewear.

and faults of the mattress, as mentioned above.

It is a further purpose to provide a relatively v inexpensive deviceeasy to manufacture and easy to adjust.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the natureof the improvements is better understood, the invention consistingsubstantially in the novel construction, combination and arrangement ofparts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

The form of the invention herein shown and described presents apreferred embodiment thereof, and delineates its adaption to practicaluse, but it is to be understood that the present disclosure is to beconsidered from the illustrative standpoint and not as imposingrestriction or limitation on the invention.

f In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a single bed size of a spring with adjustingmechanism as set forth in this application. The coils have not beenshown except for one portion of the spring, having generally beenomitted from above the adjusting support for the purpose of more clearlyshowing a plan view of that mechanism;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device shown in'Figure 1 Figure 3 isa transverse sectional view, of the device illustrated in Figure 2,being taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of l the lifting mechanismillustrated in Figure 3, the

view being transverse;

Figure 5 is a plan view similar to that of Figure l except that itrepresents a new concept of a double bed spring;

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the spring shown in Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a transverse sectional view of the device illustrated inFigure 6, being taken on the line 'l-l of Figure 6, looking in thedirection of the arrows;

Figure 8 is a plan view essentially the same as that shown in Figure 5,with the exception that it shows a longitudinal separation through theapproximate center;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the spring illustrated in Figure 8; s

Figure l0 isa transverse sectional view of the spring illustrated inFigures 8 and 9, being a view taken on the line III- l0 of Figure 9,looking in the directions of the arrows;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view of a spring showing an additionaltransverse adjusting mechanism for each longitudinal adjustable unit, aswell as the adjusting mechanism in the previous figures;

Figure 12 is a transverse elevation of the structure shown in Figure 1l,being a View taken on the line i2-l2 of Figure 1l, looking in thedirection ofthe arrows;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the adjustingmechanism of Figures ll and l2, more clearly showing the additionalmechanism.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the same number indicatesthe same device or portion of the construction wherever used in variousfigures,

In the figures, 20 represents the rigid base frame of the conventionalbed spring, and 2| M designates the rigid cross supports conventionallyemployed in bed springs. Number 22 designates transverse radditions tothe base frame 20, which additions are joined to and integral with saidbase frame 20, and 23 designates the rigid cross supports on theadjustable portion of the spring. s These cross supports terminate andare attached to the moveable longitudinal strips 24-26 and 25-21, whichnormally are supported by the longitudinal sides of the base frame 2i).The longitudinal strips 26 and 21 are shownfas being supported by thetransverse additions 22 of base frame 20.

Various means are available for moving the longitudinal strips Z4-26 and25-2'l, but for the purpose of this application, I have shown theconventional set vscrews 2B, 29, 3U, 3|, 32, 33, 34,

Y 35, 35, 31, 38 and 39. These set screws operate independently of eachother to raise the portion of the longitudinal strips 24.-26 and- 25-21apportioned to each of the set screws, as may be desired. This relativemovement of each of the longitudinal strips 24-25 and 25-21 may beaccomplished in the portion of any strip desired.

It may be seen by the above explanation and in examination of thedrawings, that by adjusting the various set screw, the top surface ofthe 0 springmay be modified to suit the needsof the occupant. Inconnection with the above, it will be seen that the top surface of thespring illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7 iiexes but remains unbroken. Inthe various figures, the top surface is designated 45, and includes 'theentire top of the bed. It is the portion of the bed spring on which themattress rests and may be similar to the top surface of the ordinary bedspring in use today. As indicated in Figure 8, for example, the topsurface may be comprised of a plurality of top portions, one for eachsection of the bed spring, and being two top portions 46 and 41, makingup the top surface 45, as shown in Figures 8 and 10.

By adjusting the set screw 30 as much of the longitudinal strip 24 ismoved away from rigid frame 20, as is supported by set screw 30, and thelongitudinal strip 24 in turn moves transverse cross supports 23,associated with it- 'Ihe cross supports when moved by longitudinal strip24 on the adjustment, in their turn move the coil springs 40, thusmodifying the surface of the bed spring and giving added support at thatarea. Likewise adjustment of the other set screws accomplish the samerelative movement of the other areas in the manner described. Two ormore set screws of course may be coordinated in movement as is apparentin examination of the drawings. Thus it will be seen that the entirearea directly above and adjacent to the moveable transverse supports maybe modified at will.

Referring to the structure and arrangement shown in Figures 8, 9 and 10,the portion of the spring above the horizontal plane of the base isseparated longitudinally into the sections A and B, to provide at leasta semi-independent supporting portion (46 or 41 as the case may be) ofthe top surface 45 in each half of the spring. By this arrangement theadjustment of the section A by the person using the spring will havelittle or no effect on the adjustment of section B and the comfort tothe user is that of a single bed in addition to the fact that each side,A and B, may be adapted to the individual comfort of the user asexplained in connection with the structure shown in the various figures.

In Figure 11 the coil supports 4| are made ilexible Under the transversecoil supports 4I are supplemental supports 42, which although indicatedin the drawings as rods may be coil springs or other supporting means.

Trusses numbered 43 are shown passing under supports 42. Said trussesare secured at either end to longitudinal flexible strips 24-26 and25-21. In the truss rods 43 are means 44, here indicated as turnbuckles,which are employed to shorten the truss rods 42, thus transverselyarching transverse coil supports 4|. As a result, the transverseflexing, in addition to the longitudinal flexing gives a compoundadjustment which modifies the bed spring, thus also modifying themattress, transversely as well as longitudinally, which both compensatesfor the wear developed in the mattress and provides additional comfort.

It is understood that there are many mechanical equivalents that may beused in elevating and ilexing the longitudinal supports 24--2i,` 25-21.In the figures shown we employ a simple set screw. Coordinated meansmay, of course, be provided whereby the corresponding portions of strips24-26 and 25-21 may simultaneously be elevated through the actuation ofone element. This is likewise true of means for arching transverse co-ilsupports 4I.

While it is set forth that certain of the parts have a certain position,it will be understood that applicant intends the description anddrawings to cover normal variation of these parts. As an example thelongitudinal strips number 24-26 and 25-21 would work very well in acrossed relation instead of apparently parallel as shown. Obviouslyequally satisfactory variation may be had without removing the devicefrom the scope of this application.

The form of invention herein shown and described is believed to be apreferred embodiment thereof, but it is to be understood that the sameis susceptible to change, variation and modification in the arrangementsof the parts. 'I'he form illustrated, therefore, is to be taken from theillustrative standpoint only, and not as imposing restrictions orlimitations upon the invention.

I claim:

A coil type bed spring and the like having a base frame with rigid crosssupports and transverse additions, a top portion, which top portion issupported by coil springs, only some of which coil springs are in turnsupported by the rigid cross supports, subsidiary frame arrangementscarried by said base frame and resting on said transversed additions,top surface supporting coil springs carried by said subsidiary framearrangements and constituting substantially the remainder of the coilsprings not supported by the rigid cross supports, said subsidiary framearrangements including movable longitudinal strips, adjusting means suchas set screws variously positioned and operable independently of eachother to raise and lower, as the case may be, various portions of thelongitudinal strips,

whereby each of the longitudinal strips is varied and in turn varies thetension on the coil springs supporting the top surface of the bed springand thereby varies the tension on the respective top portions above andadjacent the said coil springs.

JEROME T. ATKINSON.

